To Bounce Back with Resilience You Need a New York Attitude

 

I’m here to tell you that no matter what your circumstances are, you can adjust your attitude and create a brighter reality for yourself.  It’s not the bad neighborhood you grew up in that led you on the wrong path.  It’s not the teacher who shunned your artistic talents or the parent who suggested you weren’t good enough that caused you to become stagnant.  And, it’s not the illness you have or the accident that left you physically challenged that’s keeping you in a state of isolation.

I’m in no way trying to trivialize life’s tribulations.  Let’s face it; some of us have a great deal of pain to deal with.  However, it is essential for your well being that you understand that circumstances, events, or situations are not the final word on your quality of life, no matter the severity.  It’s how you respond to them and the fear and other negative emotions they elicit that make the difference.  And more than anything it’s about making the mental shift in attitude that will allow you to power through whatever life throws at you.  In fact, it’s all about attitude. It’s always been about attitude.  And always will be about attitude

You know what kind of attitude I’m talking about? – A New York Attitude. – Don’t give me that look!  I’m serious.  New Yorkers have always had a reputation for dealing with adversity of any kind.  No matter the severity of the situation, New Yorkers not only bounce back, but they thrive with stead-fast determination and confidence that defy the odds against them.

Do you want to know how to acquire a New York Attitude?  All you have to do is observe a cat, any cat.  In my view, cats by their very nature exemplify the New York Attitude.  There you go giving me that look again.  Go ahead.  Just watch them.  They strut around the house, as if they’re God’s gift to the animal kingdom. I swear, if cats could talk we would hear, “Meow!  Meow!  Ba-Da-Bing  Meow!”

Why is it said that cats have nine lives?  Because they have resilience, they bounce back. Nothing seems to affect these animals.   I once saw a cat run full force smack into a wall, bounce off, land on its feet, and look at me as if to say, “What? I knew it was there!  I meant to do that!”, and then walk away. “Ba-Da-Bing  Meow!”

Have you ever told a cat to go fetch something?  It just sits there and gives you another one of those looks.  “Hey, let’s get something straight.  I don’t do fetch.   You want something, you tell your best friend Rover to get it.  I’m busy.  I’ve got company comin’ over.  And when they get here, don’t embarrass me with this ‘Here Kitty, Kitty crap.  I got a name!  You use it!  Even If it is Fluffy!  You use it!’

The bottom line…cats live on their own terms.  Nobody tells them what to do.  They defy the odds.  And they bounce back and have resilience.  I’ll say it again: Cats have a New York Attitude!  And all of us can use that same kind of New York Attitude!